Media Watch - Feb 23

Harry charity funds first drop-in centre for cancer in Brum (Birmingham Mail, ITV.com, BBC online) The mother of fundraising hero Harry Moseley has announced a gift to the people of Birmingham – its first drop-in cancer centre.  Quotes Cllr Ian Ward.

Free school meal kids lag behind (Birmingham Mail) Schools in Birmingham are being told to work harder in a bid to narrow the gap in the achievement between underprivileged pupils and their wealthier classmates.

Streets are rammed for Chinese Year of the Goat (Birmingham Mail) Thousands of people braved the rain to join in Birmingham’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

Hospital told to take action on car parking (Birmingham Mail) Serious parking problems which have led to residents scrawling abuse on cars left nose to tail in their streets have prompted city planners to order Birmingham’s ‘superhospital’ to take urgent action.  Quotes Cllrs Barry Henley, John Alden and Peter Douglas Osborn.

Council launches campaign to keep the city litter-free (Birmingham Mail) Keeping the streets clean is the number one priority for Birmingham residents – so the city council is asking people for their support with its #TidyBrum campaign.  Quotes Cllr Lisa Trickett.

City backs homeless charter (Birmingham Mail) Birmingham is leading the way at tackling homelessness after signing a charter dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of homeless people.  Quote Cllr John Cotton.

City hostels set for £3m revamp (Birmingham Mail) Three hostels for the city’s homeless are to get a £3 million overhaul and upgrade to make them safer and more comfortable for those who fall on hard times.  Quotes Cllr John Cotton.

Parking wardens are given 20pc pay rise (Birmingham Mail) Parking wardens in Birmingham are getting a 20 per cent rise under the city council’s living wage policy. Quotes Cllr Stewart Stacey.

Elderly fears delay homes plan for derelict site (Birmingham Mail) Plans to build 34 homes on a derelict eyesore pub and bowling green site (in Kingstanding) have been stalled over fears for elderly neighbours.  Quotes Cllr Gary Sambrook.

2012 Olympic training pool for Sparkhill (Birmingham Mail) The long-awaited Sparkhill Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre – which will feature a full-size London 2012 Olympic training pool – is a step nearer reality as city planners have approved designs.  Quotes Cllrs Barry Henley and Mohammed Fazal.

Streets of Shame (Sunday Mercury) The twisted metal and dumped belongings may look like a war zone scene, but these shocking scenes were snapped in Washwood Heath, Birmingham.  Quotes Cllr Lisa Trickett.

Roadshows will lift the lid on future with wheelie bins (Great Barr Observer) Residents across Great Barr, Perry Barr and Kingstanding are being urged to roll up for a wheelie bin road show, where they can learn more about upcoming changes to refuse collection in their neighbourhood.  Quotes Cllr Keith Linnecor.

Running for Mayor (Great Barr Observer) Mayoral chain will be swapped for trainers later this year as preparations begin for the Morrisons Great Birmingham 10k.  Quotes Lord Mayor Cllr Shafique Shah.

Brownfield site homes plans get green light (Sutton Observer) Plans to build 69 new homes on two sites opposite green belt land in Sutton Coldfield have been accepted.  Quotes Cllr David Pears.

Town council announcement put back for review of city shake-up (Sutton Observer) An announcement on proposals for a town council in Sutton Coldfield has been delayed as the shake-up of Birmingham City Council is taken into account.  Quotes Cllr Rob Pocock.

Fish rescued from leaking canal - A fish rescue operation at a section of leaking canal in Birmingham begins.

Ahmad Nawaz ‘played dead’ in Pakistani school massacre - Ahmad Nawaz, 14, who was shot in the arm, has undergone surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Care worker Melissa Swift admits ‘bleach’ murder attempt - Former special constable Melissa Swift was arrested after 25 residents and seven staff at Goldfield Court in West Bromwich were taken to hospital.

Secretly-filmed MPs deny wrongdoing - Ex-Foreign Secretaries Jack Straw and Sir Malcolm Rifkind say they have broken no rules after being secretly filmed apparently offering their services to a private company for thousands of pounds.

HSBC reports sharp profit fall - HSBC has said 2014 was a “challenging year” after reporting a 17% drop in profit to $18.7bn, with chief executive Stuart Gulliver seeing his pay drop

Eddie Redmayne wins best actor Oscar - British actor Eddie Redmayne wins best actor at this year’s Oscars, while Julianne Moore is named best actress and Birdman best picture.